Sticks and Stones Will Break My Bones but _ _ _

The remaining words of the phrase shown in the title of this blog are: "Names Will Never Hurt Me". I can remember hearing my mother tell me that phrase when I told her that some of my peers had taunted me with words that felt like I was crushed.

It is a well known tactic used by some to divert others' attention from the true facts. An example that demonstrates that phenomenon follows. In a court case, either the defense or prosecuting attorney may make a statement that immediately plants a mental picture in the jurors' minds. Even though the judge may order the statement stricken from the record, it is impossible to erase it from the jurors' minds. Do you know anyone who always, or at least most often, blames others for situations that in truth were caused by the one who initiated the accusations?

We are about to witness many examples of political negativism that are intended to plant an idea in the prospective voters' minds that the candidate about whom the accusations are made is not fit to be in the office for which they are running. The spot ads we will soon see on our TV's paint a very gloomy picture that at some point become almost nauseating. The end result is that we have no clear idea for whom we should cast our vote, if we vote at all.

In the 2010 Pennsylvania race for the Governorship, it promises to be a one sided contest because one of the two Republican candidates has stated that, "You'll never see a private investigator, staffer or intern who works for us, sifting through our opponent's personal or professional life in search of that backdoor to victory". What a refreshing idea!! It speaks volumes about the man and his ethics. It then remains for the other candidate to appear as though he "walks on water" as he and his staff manage to dig up or manufacture what they consider will be "believable facts" that are designed to influence the voters to vote for them.

What we all must consider is what the past record of accomplishment(s) is for each in comparison to what the demands of the office of governor are. In addition, we need to look at what the candidates stated plans are if they are voted in. As it is, only the one who has stated that they will not run a "negative" campaign has outlined what his plans are. His competitor seems to be depending on "name recognition" alone to carry him to victory. Perhaps you are swayed by that but for me, name recognition alone is not sufficient to expect my vote.

Another thought you should consider is that "We the People" are supposed to choose who we want to lead us. It would seem however that the Republican party big wheels are attempting to tell us for whom we should cast our vote!! We should have learned our lesson from past experience but one can only hope that history does not repeat itself. We definitely do not need, nor can we afford to retain the "good old boys" in office or we better know how to swim or we'll surely sink.

How many days are there until the primary election? Just 122 days until the primary on 18 MAY!!! We better get cracking and do all we can to make sure the man who has demonstrated, not just talked, a truhful and ethical political career gets our vote. Both in Florida and Massachusetts, the people have shown that they will prevail and have voted for the Conservative contestant. This promises to be a very big year for those politicians who have demonstrated their true concern for their constituants.

Until next week, Semper Fidelis

Nurse John